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Frequently Asked Questions
- REQUIREMENTS FOR TAKING THE WRITTEN EXAM
- WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU APPLY
- INFORMATION ABOUT EXAMINATION DAY
- WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE WRITTEN EXAM
REQUIREMENTS FOR TAKING THE WRITTEN EXAM
THE 2007 APPLICATION PERIOD ENDED ON 10/5/07.
Age:
Q. What are the age requirements that I must meet to be eligible to participate in the Port Authority Police Officer Written Examination?
A. To participate in the evaluation process, you must be at least 21 years of age by November 1, 2007, and not have attained your 35th birthday at the time of appointment to the Police Academy Training Program.
Education:
Q. What are the education requirements that I must meet to be a Port Authority Police Officer?
A. In order to take the written test, you must have completed an application and submitted it during the open application period, which was from September 10, 2007 through October 5, 2007. You must also have at least a high school diploma or a GED. Further, if you pass the written test and you are invited to continue the screening process, you must have completed either of the following in order to continue in the evaluation:
- A minimum of 60 college credits from an accredited college or university;
or - An honorable discharge from the United States Military after serving a minimum of two full years of continuous active duty.
Failure to provide proof that you have satisfied either the college education or military service requirement by the date an invitation is made to you to continue in the screening process beyond the written test will result in your disqualification from any further consideration as a police officer candidate.
Or Military Service:
Q. What is the military requirement that I must meet as a substitute for the education requirement?
A. You must have an honorable discharge from the United States Military after serving a minimum of two full years of continuous active duty. Failure to provide proof that you have satisfied either the college education or military service requirement by the date an invitation is made to you to continue in the screening process beyond the written test will result in your disqualification from any further consideration as a police officer candidate.
Felony Conviction = Disqualification:
Q. Am I eligible for the examination if I have been convicted of a felony?
A. No. You cannot qualify to take the exam with a felony conviction.
Residency
Q. Must I reside in New York or New Jersey to be eligible to participate in the written examination process?
A. No. However, you must be a resident of NY or NJ when you are appointed to the police academy training program.
Citizenship
Q. Must I be a United States citizen to participate in the written examination process?
A. No. However, you must be a United States citizen at the time of appointment to the police academy training program.
Driver's License
Q. Do I need to possess a valid New York State or New Jersey State driver's license to participate in the written examination process?
A. No. However, you must possess a valid New York State or New Jersey State driver's license at the time of appointment to the police academy training program.
THE APPLICATION PERIOD CLOSED ON OCTOBER 5, 2007.
Q. What was the deadline for submission of the application?
A. The deadline for application submission was midnight Eastern Daylight Time October 5, 2007.
Q. Can I apply for the Port Authority written test if I am in the armed forces and currently deployed overseas, unavailable for testing now?
A. Yes, if you are a member of the armed forces deployed overseas, you need to submit your application online during the open application period which closes on Friday October 5, 2007, midnight EDT. Then send a letter to the address indicated in the notification section of the website, indicating your current circumstances. You will also be required to immediately inform us when you return from deployment, that you are available to test by sending us a letter to this address. At that point we will ask for documentation of your orders and will accomodate you for a make-up test because you were not available for testing due to your deployment.
Q. Is the $75 application fee refundable if I do not come to the test or if I do not pass the test?
A. No, once your application is accepted, the fee is non-refundable.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU APPLY
Q. What happens once I submit my application?
A. An applicant meeting all the eligibility requirements listed in the Port Authority Police Officer 2007 Enrollment Brochure will be sent an e-mail, if they list an e-mail address in their application, inviting the applicant to a test administration of the Port Authority Police Officer Written Examination. We encourage all applicants to list an e-mail address. This will provide a quick response to your application. Those who do not list an e-mail address will be mailed a letter via U.S. mail inviting the applicant to a test administration of the Port Authority Police Officer Written Examination. Allow 7 to 10 days after applying to receive your test invitation. If you do not receive a test invitation call the Police Recruitment Customer Service Center at 212-435-2832.
An applicant will not be accepted if he/she does not meet all the requirements and qualifications (because of age, education, or felony conviction). An applicant who is not accepted will not be invited to participate in the test administration.
INFORMATION ABOUT EXAMINATION DAY
Q. When and where will The Port Authority Police Officer Written Examination be administered?
A. Testing is scheduled to begin in November 2007 for eligible applicants. Qualified applicants will be sent an e-mail, if they list an e-mail address in their application, advising of their test date and the location of the testing site. Those who do not provide an e-mail address will receive a letter. Applicants are strongly encouraged to provide an e-mail address to speed communications. Applicants should refer to the e-mail/letter for the exact date, time and location of their exam. A link to the test location map/directions will be included in the e-mail. Candidates should print these invitation letters and directions and bring them to the test site on the day of the written test.
Applicants who arrive at the test center after the test has begun will not be allowed to participate in the written examination process. Applicants should be sure to leave early and allow sufficient time for traffic and other travel considerations.
Q. What materials should I bring with me on the day of the test?
A. You should bring the following with you on the day of the test: the invitation letter and two forms of identification (one of which must be a picture ID). Do not bring any personal articles to the test site. This includes pens, pencils, bags, purses, and all electronic devices such as cell phones, blackberries, any recording device, camera, tape recorder, etc. They will not be permitted on your person and we do not have secure storage for them. The Port Authority will not assume responsibility for your personal property during the examination. Candidates who are found with personal items inside the test site may be disqualified from the Police Officer Evaluation Process.
Q. How long will the testing process last?
A. Applicants should expect to be at the test site for at least 4-4 ½ hours.
Q. What will happen when I arrive at the test site?
A. You must show your identification (including photo ID), sign in and be fingerprinted. Therefore, it is important to arrive at the test site on time to allow sufficient time for the sign-in process. The test site may also be monitored by video recording to ensure test security.
Q. Will there be a break for food or snacks during the written examination?
A. No, there will not be a break for meals or snacks, so please plan accordingly.
Q. Is there a study guide for the written examination?
A. No. There is no study guide available. However, you can refer to the information within the section "Police Officer Selection Process," contained in the Port Authority Police 2007 Enrollment Brochure to identify the skills that may be assessed on the written examination.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE WRITTEN EXAM
Q. When will applicants be notified of the results of the written examination?
A. Applicants will be notified of the results of the written examination within 90 days of their test date.
Q. What are the remaining steps to become a Police Officer if I pass the written examination?
A. A large number of applicants may pass the written examination. Each person who passes becomes a part of an eligible roster of test-qualified applicants. This Roster may be used to meet the need for Police Officers as they arise. Each time a police class is needed, the Port Authority will draw a number of applicants for invitation to the remaining parts of the screening and selection process through which successful candidates are chosen to enter a police academy training class. For more information on the Police Officer screening and selection process refer to the Port Authority Police 2007 Enrollment Brochure. It lists the remaining qualifications and steps required following the written examination.
Please note that you must meet the college education or military requirement at the time that you are invited to participate in the remaining parts of the screening and selection process, and that you must meet the age, citizenship, residency and driver’s license requirements by the time of appointment to the Police Academy Training Program.
All communications, schedules and invitations will be sent to the address you have provided. If your address changes, it is your responsibility to notify the Port Authority in writing by sending correspondence to: Port Authority Police Project, Human Resources Department, 10th floor, 225 Park Avenue South, New York, New York, 10003. Failure to respond to correspondence from the Port Authority or to attend appointments as scheduled will result in the removal of your name from the applicant pool. Correspondence that is undeliverable because of an applicant’s failure to provide a correct and up-to-date address will result in the removal of the applicant’s name from the applicant pool.
Q. Where can I get more information and have questions answered?
A. More information about the evaluation and selection process is available on pages within this Web site, and through the Police Recruitment Customer Service Center: (212) 435-2832.
Responsibilities and Compensation > Assignments > Eligibility Requirements > Evaluation Information > Police Officer Selection Process > Police Academy Training Program > Notification > List of Documents > FAQs
